Category: nonduality

2022 and Our Inner Smile

annaLeave a comment

We are ripples on the pond, dust swirling in a whirl of wind, stars glittering in the midst of deep space. We are gems amongst gems and the wave returning to the sea. Life is simple and yet it may depend on from where you focus your attention whether or not you agree.

“Once you have the View, although the delusory perceptions of samsara may arise in your mind, you will be like the sky; when a rainbow appears in front of it, it’s not particularly flattered, and when the clouds appear, it’s not particularly disappointed either. There is a deep sense of contentment. You chuckle from the inside as you see the facade of samsara and nirvana; the View will keep you constantly amused, with a little inner smile bubbling away all the time.” ~Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Rest in Stillness

annaLeave a comment
And I found myself very, very tired, soulfully tired.
The human being longs for peace, to rest, to rise above the mundane chatter that creates and apparently, in contrast to this desire. We are at these times subject to the many thoughts that continue to run us and most, if not all of them based on the past.  Is this what I want? To be here based on programming that repeats it self? Or do I want the stillness, the silence that comes of being present in this moment, taking note of every nuance; to the world unfolding. We are all the same essence unfolding as one! If we stand still in this moment and notice the leaves twitching in a slight breeze, the sound of a car racing by, the ever present chirping of that which runs through all that exists and all that which we do not see, where are my questions? My concerns have no basis. They are not here in this moment unless I bring them here. As human beings we are conditioned to that; conditioned to think, and in so doing to constantly repeating our selves in suffering.
A time will come when it occurs to one that this way of being is contrary to my attempts to be happy. We drop all desire to resist and accept what is as the only thing that can be right here right now and continue to move forward. The movement can appear to be almost non-existent or it can feel like rushing down river heading for the grand rapids! As we are continually motivated toward Self realization we must trust that what occurs is part of the journey and keep moving. If one notices, becomes aware of feeling stuck it may be a time of readying before letting go even more. The road to ‘happiness’ is a road that takes us hither and yon until leading us to the place where my thoughts are finally recognized as having no more significance than the million grains of sand to my true nature. And yet I am one of the million and the million. In that I rest utterly at peace. I have given way to the stillness, the silence, the peace of mind.

Now?

annaLeave a comment

“Letting go is not a one time event; it is a letting go as long as there is anything left to which one clings. For anything to which we cling is not our sacred self.” ~Robert Wolfe, Living Nonduality

There may be a dozen excuses why at this moment, now, it isn’t possible to wade through the thoughts and dive into the unknown, hands reaching out to feel the emptiness, no expectation of grasping anything and coming up free; empty handed and empty-minded. Now what excuse is there that would deny me everything?

In this moment…

annaLeave a comment

“You are telling me that you perceive an obstacle on the path. Your idea of a path is itself the obstacle. If the One is omnipresent (:present in all places at all times) your path of improvement–which takes your focus out of the present–is leading you away from what can in this moment be seen!” ~Robert Wolfe, Living Nonduality

We can be saved a great deal of energy by ‘attending’ to the moment. Wherever we are and no matter what may appear to be going on around us, the inhale and exhale, of the billions, in unison, of the One, delivers to us everything we need. In this moment therefore, there is nothing I want. Without filters everything has no limitations. Without resistance the immaterial is seen to reside as easily as the material is ‘seen to reside’. In other words, all in all at all times–what more can there be?

“It needs practice, like anything else. In the same way that you have to build up your muscles to carry heavy weights, you need to practice with consciousness to see things more deeply.” ~Russel Williams, Not I, not Other than I 

Deeper than thought…Breathe

annaLeave a comment

There is one way of breathing that is shameful and constricted. Then, there’s another way: a breath of love that takes you all the way to infinity. ~Rumi

Even in this apparent chaos and turmoil, in this vital time of great change, letting go and feeling into a new skin, we can breathe. We can inhale deeply into and beyond all that seems disruptive, deceptive and disorienting. The inhale carries us into the quiet, the stillness unperturbed by any noise of this material world. We can inhale so deeply that our focus on anything external to the self ceases. We become captivated (in a sense) by a boundless peace; a knowing that accompanies this, that ‘this’ is Truth. We slowly become uninhibited; shed daily experience like water from a duck’s back and are free to embrace presence, the present moment, every minute detail existing here but previously invisible to the preoccupied mind. With the deepest inhale illusion is shattered and love cascades in an endless outpouring of Life. It is as simple as that, one breath to reacquaint one self with eternal, infinite now.

The practice is simply this: keep coming back to your breath during the day. Just take a moment. This will give your mind a steadiness and your breath a gracefulness…. There’s so much to let go of, isn’t there? Your nostalgia and your regrets. Your fantasies and your fears. What you think you want instead of what is happening right now. Breathe. ~Rodney Yee, Yoga: The Poetry of the Body

Puerta del Cielo

annaLeave a comment

Puerta del Cielo: Door to the Sky, Doorway to Heaven

As the fly bangs against the window attempting freedom while the door stands open, so we bang against death ignoring heaven. ~ Douglas Horton

Passing by a small church near Chapala and Mission recently, I was intrigued by their sign welcoming parishioners into their space. In large letters it said, Puerta del Cielo. I thought what a beautiful invitation, to rise above the clouds, the mundane, the daily travail and soar! Free to roam, to experience peace and leave the noise behind; to walk through this ‘door to the sky’. We look up instead of focusing our attention on the details. We breathe in the spaciousness and feel the expansion. We find our doorway to heaven. Now heaven is a word, unlike sky, which has as many interpretations as there are people (and then there may be some people for whom heaven does not exist). Heaven exists according to our idea of perfection; that can change over the years as we complete the fulfillment of desires. The doors are endless or at least as numerous as are our wants.

The doorway to the sky though, is the fast track. The sky can have its moods but it is always sky and we can reach for the sky or in other words seek the limitless, boundless, infinite and eternal nature of reality in a conscious manner. This means only that we are aware of a desire to dump anything that prevents us from walking through (symbolically of course) the one door. Sky, is rarely open for debate or religious interpretation. Things show up on the field of sky. Clouds come and go. We do not need however, to have our vision obscured by them. As John Butler relates:

‘Look up and go above the clouds forget about the mind.’ (4.22.20 video How to Overcome the Mind)

Butler further points out, from his idyllic village in the United Kingdom, the organic ever flowing nature of Nature that is and has been for millennia regardless of storms, rapids, extremes in temperature etc. As Nature, human beings are more than capable of the same patient, persistent, persevering qualities as that which exists all around us that has no mind. We deal with apparent catastrophic events and survive. Some would say and thrive…that quality that pervades “all things” is Truth of our Nature. The mind is a handy accessory.

The mind as we know is a very useful tool. However, when it garners control, as happens frequently due to old habits and patterns, we are confining our selves to experience only a part of this life that unfolds endlessly. Opportunities to create are limited by the mind!

At this time we can challenge our beliefs, habits and those perceptions (some that we are not even aware of) that have shaped our reality. Every day we can look for all those signs that show us the ways in which miracles show up. And, it might behoove us to redefine the word miracle or to newly establish, deep in the recesses of mind that miracles happen for everyone, at any time and anywhere. We are not victims. Everything that occurs here is an expression of our own design. What an opportunity to evolve this species beyond the victim mentality; to take responsibility for our own health and well being!

There are such moments in life, when, in order for heaven to open, it is necessary for a door to close. ~Jose Saramago

New Moon May 22, 2020 2 degrees 5 minutes Gemini 10:39 a.m. PDT

Gemini in general: Gemini represents the energy connection within creation. It is described as the “light of “inter-play,” meaning that it is Gemini that reveals the basic duality of manifestation, the relationship of spirit and form. All souls, as individual entities come into human incarnation as vital entities through Gemini. It governs the breath of life, the movement of spirit in form. In Gemini, the relation between soul and body emerges in which the body or form serves the soul. ~zodiacrealm7.wordpress.com

This New Moon deepening our awareness of Self in physical form. I am That, not the body/mind.

The mineral cell salt potassium chloride is specific to the sign Gemini. Gemini rules the nervous system, lungs, shoulders, arms and fingers.

From Truth Serum News 01 31 2018

“The mineral cell salt Kali Muriaticum (Potassium Chloride) is the mineral worker of BLOOD that forms FIBRIN and properly diffuses it throughout the tissues of the body…

In our veins and blood, fibrin makes up for 3 in 1000 parts of both.  When the molecules of Potassium Chloride (Kali Mur) fall below the standard needed amounts, the blood fibrin thickens.  This causes what is known as pleurisy, pneumonia, catarrh, diphtheria, etc…

When the blood circulation fails to throw the thickened fibrin via the glands or mucous membrane, it may stop the action of the heart, or what is known as a heart attack.  Embolus is a Latin word meaning “little lump” or “little ball”.  To die of Embolus or heart failure means that the heart’s actions were stopped by little lumps or balls of Fibrin that are clogging the auricles and ventricles of the heart. When our blood contains the proper amount of Potassium Chloride (Kali Mur), fibrin is functional and the symptoms above do not manifest.”

Check out the full article for details. It would seem like a good time to make sure your potassium chloride levels are optimal.

The most outstanding feature of this New Moon is it’s exact conjunction to the fixed star Mirfak, the brightest star in the Perseus constellation. Perseus is the hero who slew the gorgon Medusa and saved the princess Andromeda from being devoured by a sea monster. To accomplish his task Perseus was given the winged sandals and helmet of Mercury (ruler of Gemini) that provided him with intelligence and the freedom to fly.

This New Moon represents the rising of the hero who helps to rid humanity of an ‘evil’ that robs one of full expression. The gorgon Medusa was famous for turning anyone who looked at her to stone. Gemini is the breath of life and the movement of spirit in form. It is the interplay of spirit and matter and the interconnectedness of all things. During this New Moon we have an opportunity to nurture the seed within that is the hero ready to challenge all that denies us deeply desired human connection and freedom of expression.

Other aspects of this New Moon chart are a grand trine to Sun/Moon from Saturn/Pallas Athena and including the asteroid Juno, goddess of relationship. All in air signs, Gemini, Aquarius and Libra respectively—mobile, open and flexible in their attitude toward change. For Gemini change is the way of Life. Aquarius by nature is change and Libra promotes change for the perfect relationship be it with a person or the environment or space.

Saturn (focus, responsibility, the task master) conjunct asteroid Pallas Athena (wisdom, strength, creativity) will keep us on track as we rise up, look up and reach for the sky and disengage our selves from the fear and anxiety that has enveloped us for the last two months. We do not want to sacrifice human relationship for fear of a virus that, as Dr. Zachary Bush points out in a recent video, is only one of numerous viruses that are already in our systems that due to healthy immune systems do not affect us.

We can rise up, touch the sky and keep on going.

********

Pulling down the Heavens (Qigong exercise for clearing energy)

This exercise clears and builds energy in a simple yet powerful way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iChfo6WudcE

Qigong for Grounding

annaLeave a comment

Mimi Kuo-Deemer master qigong teacher shares her short sequence for grounding, centering and calmness. All of her videos are very helpful for a sense of ultimate well-being and clarity. Connecting to the subtle energies within and without is a vital and positive way to maintain stillness and peace no matter what goes on in the external environment. So wonderful that she most often can be found outdoors in nature where the very energy of the planet contributes to our grace and awareness.

In Praise of Silence

annaLeave a comment

“A day of silence can be a pilgrimage. A day of silence can help you listen to the Soul play its marvelous lute and drum.” ~Hafiz

So much is being said about these days and what they mean…really, do we know? Our words are supposition, digging in the past and projecting into the future. Neither are effective. Words seem inadequate to describe unfamiliar circumstances the effect of which has us occasionally spiraling out of control.

We are not in control. We do not know. And yet, we are not victims. Whatever goes on here, we are all in the same soup. We create, we experience—we react—we learn—we evolve. No matter what the circumstances we are presented with, we always have the option of creating with our best foot forward. In challenging situations human beings are very good at giving their best.

Most of us see this as an opportunity not to feel that we must go to battle but to take a look at whatever fears we may have based on the current situation. As much as we may miss connections with our loved ones, friends and family, we honour this time as a reprieve from the routine that may keep us focused externally. It is a time to ‘abandon’ our thoughts, give our selves space to have clarity; to listen to the silence. In silence there is no suffering. In silence we find there is no separation. Even in this current circumstance of needing to physically separate, we find there is no separation. We come to rest between the thoughts, a length of time that eventually has no measurement. There is only Now.

“Now is quieter than the mind.” ~Adyashanti (April 5th livestream)

Silence, though ever present is not what we are accustomed to. Silence though, is peace. It provides a moment in which to notice and feel into the inexhaustible, infinite nature of Reality. A moment here is enough to carry us forward to further inner inquiry. We are pulled, called to go deeper. We seek Truth.

“What am I between my thoughts? Where do I end and the trees begin, the sky…” ~John Butler

It is very possible to side line our attention to all the goings on, the noise of our human community and listen instead to the stillness, the silence. Reflection occurs and realization happens. Realization that the ‘me’ I thought I was exists as a thought. In the silence I do not find ‘me’. Me is what stands between one and freedom.

“Me stops us from going deeper. When we listen deeply we forget about me.” ~John Butler

Recently I came across the videos of John Butler and his expression of Truth after his many years of meditation and inner focus. His way of communicating may be of interest to some. Included at the end of this article is a link to one of his short videos, Silence is never boring. John also shares his very simple way of Being that promotes listening, looking and feeling, a meditation that allows for deepening. That in another video. The basic steps I share here.

According to John: Keep your feet on the ground. Feel the weight of your hands on your thighs. Look at what is around you, take in all that is in your environment. Listening, looking and feeling. Being the observer and being aware that I am the observer we become aware of infinite presence. This stilling the body and the mind in a very simple way helps create peace and calm as does any form of meditation; sitting with what is and noticing that.

“True knowledge comes through revelation.” ~J. Butler

New Moon April 22 Taurus 3 degrees 24 minutes @ 7:26 p.m. PDT

Conjunct with Uranus and Square with Saturn, expect the unexpected and emotional ‘unrest’

How can we best utilize this New Moon in Taurus? What might our intention be to assist the realization of the vision we nurture, wherever one is on their path. We can look at the qualities of Moon in Taurus as a reference point. Moon in Taurus people appreciate stability, to feel secure and to know that they are cared for. Taurus, ruled by Venus (Roman), Aphrodite (Greek) is the sign in which we learn what has value to us and where we seek pleasure and happiness. Taurus, an earth sign is most often regarded as that which acquires all things material.

However, as Aphrodite was born of the sea, from the remains of her father Uranus’s genitalia, there is a deeper aspect to this planet’s expression that is taken into consideration at this time as Uranus is conjunct to this New Moon. Uranus is known as the ‘awakener’ in astrology, as its presence is responsible for significant change—revolution for evolution. Uranus disrupts the usual in favour of freedom to Be. In order to Be we shed the accumulated conditioning that has encapsulated this planet for—a long time.

‘To be that which you cannot, not be.’ ~Bob Nickel

Uranus will direct attention to a deeper level of Taurus ability that relates to the five senses. Taurus is sensitive to the feeling nature, listening, observing, smelling, tasting and touching. These heightened aspects in human beings gives one a greater sense of security in the world, knowing what dangers one might need to deal with. When we give deep attention to our senses, as is possible at any time but more so during this New Moon, we discover a new ‘area’ accessible to all. Here there is Truth when we experience depth of being through our senses. We gradually let go of the material to achieve peace. Detachment for Taurus is a healthy achievement. Through detachment we eliminate emotional limitations.

To assist in this process is Saturn, the planet of discipline, focus and work squaring Sun, Moon and Uranus. The taskmaster is overseeing our travail to make sure that we dutifully approach the acknowledgment of patterns and conditioning that inhibit greater awareness.

Taurus is earth, the farmer, those tuned into nature with a natural ability to appreciate how all in nature unfolds without the need for thought. If we stand and listen deeply, no matter where we are, we can hear the rhythm that moves everything. This New Moon can guide us deeper to a permanent security known through ever present interconnectedness—no separation.

Also in this New Moon chart, Point of Fortune in Scorpio opposition to the New Moon. Here is another call to deepen. Scorpio wants depth and to connect with the vital nature of existence, the essence. Scorpio does not abide with pretense. The Point of Fortune is where we find our greatest sense of fulfillment. Venus, ruler of Taurus is being called upon to exhibit what lies within not just the beauty without, for which she is most often appreciated.

“You want to overthrow the established order and transform it into something better because you know that true security can only be found by being in touch with the source of life.” ~Jessica Davidson from Point of Fortune in Scorpio

In conclusion, this New Moon offers us an avenue for deepening, emotional growth and realizing an imperturbable security with which we proceed with greater confidence and sense of well being. As we are exploring new territory at this time, our vision is to be open to the unfolding of ‘this one’, the deeper expression of what ‘I’ have known to be true thus far. Sharing the light within that so beautifully illuminates this world in which we live.

Video: John Butler-Silence is never boring (one of his lovely offerings)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SVxdnE84bM

annaLeave a comment

“The immanent Reality alone is. It is infinite.” ~Ramana Maharshi Teachings of Self Realization by Robert Wolfe

Our true nature is infinite. And even in this stressful, demanding global situation we are creating healing. Humanity has infinite resources, abundance, intelligence, compassion and LOVE. No matter what appears to be going on all around us, the cure is rising out of omniscience. Each of us can reach deep into our own knowing to find peace, calmness and the strength to overcome and all the while supporting a collective rising into well being.

This New Moon at 4 degrees Aries is a good occasion in which to envision a strong society guided by our passion and intention for balance and harmony. We are the solution. We are the creators.